Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Workers Adopt Corporate Jargon

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

In the modern world of the workplace, corporate jargons such as “ICE”, “ping”, “circle back”, and “double click” abound. 

Employees, despite being overwhelmed with such business lexicon, just resort to adopting it and using them in their day-to-day correspondences at work.

Read the article about workers capitulating to this word salad of corporate jargon.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240202-the-animal-instinct-that-drives-workers-to-adopt-corporate-jargon

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “boots on the ground” mean? “The sales team has boots on the ground. They visit customers directly, attend trade shows, or be present at industry events to build relationships.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to double click on something” mean here: “We need to double-click on the data to understand the root cause”? Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to run something up the flagpole” mean here: “The company first ran the idea up the flagpole last year.”? Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the importance of corporate jargon?
  2. What are all the things wrong with it?
  3. What are your thoughts on all this work parlance these days? Do you think they are necessary? Explain.
  4. Share your insights on this: But as employees have come to understand office jargon, and even rely on it, Cooper cautions companies use these words to make processes opaque.
  5. Express your opinion on this: Cooper and Brown agree the popularity of corporate jargon has a fairly simple explanation: the desire for status in the workplace, or “human peacocking”.
  6. Cite at least three (3) industry-specific shorthands you use in your line of work and explain what they stand for and/or what they mean.

Should You Work for a Big or Small Company?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When choosing a job, people often wonder whether it’s better to work for a small company or a large one.

In this video, a career coach explains that small companies usually give you more hands-on experience because you handle many tasks. However, your career growth may depend on how fast the company grows.

On the other hand, large companies offer more structure, stability, and clear paths for promotion, but progress may be slow.

The speaker suggests that switching between small and large companies can actually help you grow faster and gain more diverse experience.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “clear path forward” mean in the sentence, “You have the safety of a large organization that is going to have opportunities for you to grow and a clear path forward.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “bounce between the ladders” mean in the sentence, “You can move up the ladder by bouncing between the ladders.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “risk taker” mean in the sentence, “Or whether you’re a little bit more of a risk taker and like those smaller companies”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which do you prefer: a big job in a small company or a small job in a big company? Why?
  2. Have you ever worked for a small or large company? What were the advantages and disadvantages?
  3. Do you agree that switching between small and large companies helps your career grow faster? Why or why not?

Signs You’re Working for a Failing Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people believe that having a regular 9-to-5 job ensures stability, but the truth is that no job is ever completely stable. As the article below explains, whether it’s due to company mismanagement, a lack of demand, or even illegal activities, a failing business usually shows several warning signs. Read the full article, and if you’ve noticed any of the following at your place of employment, it might be time to restart your job search.

https://vocal.media/journal/10-signs-you-re-working-for-a-failing-business

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “no fault of one’s own” mean in the sentence, “We may arrive on time every day, do our very best, and even take on extra tasks without being asked, yet we could still be unemployed tomorrow through no fault of our own.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “read between the lines” mean in the sentence, “Those who can read between the lines, however, would be more than wise to plan their own escape”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “down the drain” mean in the sentence, “Company morale has gone down the drain”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you think are the first signs that a company is failing?
  2. Have you ever worked for a company that showed some of these warning signs?
  3. How can employees protect themselves when a business starts to struggle?
  4. Do you think loyalty to a company is important even when things are going downhill?
  5. Which of the ten signs in the article do you think is the most alarming, and why?

Meaningless Jobs and Modern Slavery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this talk, psychologist Jordan Peterson warns about how bureaucratic systems can slowly destroy your motivation and integrity.

He explains that when people are told to follow foolish or pointless rules, they often pretend to agree just to fit in.

Over time, this weakens both their character and their happiness. Peterson advises people to speak up early when asked to do something clearly unreasonable.

Watch the video to learn more about this topic.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “object” mean in the sentence, “You should object at the earliest possible point”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “resentful” mean in the sentence, “It’ll make you resentful and irritated, and that will also undermine your motivation”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “escape route” mean in the sentence, “You should always have an escape route planned, and it should be active”?
    Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think people sometimes follow rules they know are wrong or foolish?
  2. How can speaking up early prevent bigger problems later in the workplace?
  3. What are some healthy ways to deal with a toxic or overly controlling work environment?

The Most Toxic Person In The Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Simon Sinek shares a valuable lesson he learned from working with the Navy SEALs. He explains that while performance is important, trust is what truly defines a strong team. The SEALs value those who are not only capable but also reliable and supportive, the ones others know they can depend on.

Want to know who the most toxic person in the workplace is? Watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “lopsided” mean in the sentence, “The problem in business is we have lopsided metrics.”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “got one’s back” mean? “Who’s always got your back and will be there with you when the chips are down.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “when the chips are down” mean in the sentence, “Who’s always got your back and when the chips are down, they will always be there with you?”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think companies should prioritize trust as much as performance when promoting employees? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever worked with someone who was high-performing but difficult to trust? How did it affect the team?
  3. What do you think makes a person trustworthy at work?

How to Work with an Insecure Boss

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Even in professional environments, not every boss leads with confidence. Some managers struggle with insecurity, which can show up as micromanaging, defensiveness, or taking credit for others’ work.

This video by Amy Gallo from Harvard Business Review explains how to recognize an insecure boss and offers practical ways to handle the situation without escalating conflict.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “to rile someone up” mean? “If your boss is riling you up, excuse yourself for a moment to take time to compose yourself and calm down.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to downplay” mean? “Don’t, in anyway downplay your efforts, but highlight the partnership.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to set the tone” mean? “It’s never too late to reset the tone of your relationship.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever worked or studied under someone who seemed insecure or controlling? How did it affect your performance?
  2. Why do you think some people become insecure after being promoted to leadership positions?
  3. Which of Amy Gallo’s tips (patience, teamwork, flattery, reassurance) do you think is most effective? Why?
  4. What are the possible effects of working for an insecure boss in the long term?
  5. If you were the manager, how would you prevent your own insecurities from affecting your team?

Disturbing Truth About Micromanaging People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many managers struggle to lead effectively because they focus too much on controlling every detail of their employees’ work. This behavior, known as micromanagement, can hurt creativity, stop growth, and push good employees to leave. Leadership experts say that to build strong teams, managers need to trust their people and let them learn from experience.

To understand why micromanagement leads to failure and what great leaders do instead, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “stifle” mean? “When you micromanage somebody, you stifle their creativity.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “hover over” mean? “Every time you hover over them and manage every single thing they do, they stop expressing themselves.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “push beyond one’s limitations” mean? “All growth happens when we push beyond our limitations.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think some managers micromanage their employees?
  2. How can micromanagement affect a team’s creativity and motivation?
  3. What’s the best way for a manager to help employees grow without micromanaging?
  4. Have you ever worked with someone who micromanaged others? How did it feel?
  5. What can employees do if they feel their boss is micromanaging them?

Priceless Jewelry Stolen From Louvre

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A shocking heist place in Paris, where “priceless” jewelry was stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum. The incident has raised serious questions about security in one of the most visited cultural landmarks on Earth. Authorities are investigating how the thieves managed to bypass tight security measures and escape with such valuable items. The theft has sparked global attention and concern over the protection of historical and artistic treasures.

Watch the video and be able to answer the question below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word ‘heist’ mean?“ The daring heist at the Louvre left authorities stunned, as thieves managed to escape with priceless jewelry from one of the world’s most secure museums. Make a sentence using the word.
  2. What does ‘in broad daylight’ mean? “The thieves stole the jewelry in broad daylight.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “never see the daylight again’ mean? “The stolen jewelry may never see the light of day again.” Make your own sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How could such a high-profile theft happen in one of the most secure museums in the world like the Louvre?
  2. What do you think motivates people to steal priceless jewelry that can’t easily be sold or displayed publicly?
  3. How might this incident affect the public’s trust in museum security and the way historical treasures are protected?
  4. In your opinion, should punishment for stealing cultural treasures be harsher than for ordinary theft?

Priced Out of Traditional Housing, More Americans Live in RVs

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As housing prices continue to rise across the United States, more Americans are turning to an unconventional solution: living in recreational vehicles (RVs). Once seen primarily as a vacation option, RV living is increasingly becoming a full-time lifestyle for people seeking affordable and flexible housing alternatives.

Read this article or watch this video to learn more.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/americans-choose-rv-life-economy-challenges-housing-market-cost-rcna231942

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “makeshift“. “The RV doesn’t have any tables or chairs, so he sat on a makeshift bed covered by a SpongeBob blanket with a cutting board on his lap, chopping peaches, apples and kiwis while his mom cooked hamburger patties on the RV’s small gas range.” Use this in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “cordon off” mean? “Now, living out of a roughly 175-square-foot RV with his mom and 6-year-old sister, Dante’s space is limited to a twin bed wedged under a loft, cordoned off with privacy curtains.” Use this in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What’s the meaning of “to leave someone underwater“? “Loan terms can be spread out over long periods to lower monthly payments, but that can quickly leave borrowers underwater — owing more on their loan than their RV is worth.” Use this in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion on this: It estimated 342,000 people were living in an RV, boat or van, an increase of 41% from 2019.
  2. Could RV living become a long-term solution for housing crises, or is it just a temporary trend? Why?
  3. How can RV/van living be a debt trap?
  4. Do you think the same problem in housing affordability and rising cost-of-living also exist in your country? Share what you know about this issue.
  5. Do you believe living in a motorcoach is worth it especially if housing costs were very high in your city? Why or why not?

Parisians Take a Historic Plunge into the Seine River after 100 Years

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After a century-long ban, swimming is finally returning to the Seine River in Paris. Once considered too polluted for safe recreational use, the iconic river has now been cleaned enough to allow residents and tourists to take a dip, marking a historic moment for the city and its waterways.

Read the article or watch video to learn more.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/paris-swimming-seine-100-years-rcna217021

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to ring out” mean? “Cries of “It is warm!” rang out across the Seine on Saturday morning as Parisians jumped into the river — legally — for the first time in more than 100 years.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.
  2. What’s the meaning of “to skim something away“? “Before sunrise, a municipal officer skimmed away the last few patches of algae with a fishnet. Soon after, a line of eager Parisians formed, towels in hand, waiting for their chance to jump in.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.
  3. Define “threshold“. “Environmental authorities confirmed bacteria levels were well below official thresholds.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this news.
  2. Do you think swimming in urban rivers should be encouraged in other cities? Why or why not?
  3. How might cleaning and maintaining rivers affect local communities and tourism?
  4. How can governments balance environmental preservation with public recreation?
  5. How could this initiative inspire other cities to focus on sustainable urban development?
  6. How would you feel if a polluted body of water in your city/country became safe for activities like swimming again?